Share your thoughts - What would make universe feel more alive?

[Jezzah]

I'd have preferred much much less procedural generation. No 400 billion systems etc etc a bit more handcrafted would be nice. For instance the maps on CQC are really nice and I feel it's a shame that the whole game wasn't created with that sense of detail. The slave-ish determination to be as true to reality kills the "game" bit at least for me. The universe is ultimately 99.9999% boring and sadly they have recreated that faithfully in ED: Google universe maps edition.

Sorry wasn't really a suggestion but a bit of handcrafting or a lighter touch on the PG for say the bubble systems might still be a thing?

 

[Soon(TM)]

Less copy and paste stations and star ports.

Life in stations and star ports

Removal of the yellow trucks going round and round and round and round - at this point I would rather they were removed completely, a two year "place holder" is not good!

Destructible landscapes

Destructible asteroids

Mineable landscapes

Asteroid animations that alter when mined, I.e get smaller, get holes etc.

A reason to own a SRV

Trailers for the SRV to tow your ore, cargo, salvage etc.

Radio chatter around stations, freelancer style.

Ground vehicles and activity on surface ports.

 

[Patrick_68000]

A lot of NPC in many human activities would add the dynamism

 

[Crash1099]

Aliens would be nice with their own ships and stations.

 

[SirGirard]

Personally I would like a bit more MMO, e.g. Offices/warehouses/player bases....but that is not everyone's idea of how ED should go.

So avoiding that debate, I think it would be great if you could see a wider range of NPC vessels as you travel through systems, more variation in Stations and outposts, people/life in stations, Thargoids invading the outer rim.

 

[[DOOK] Droogie]

I think the common theme here is that we're the only real activity in this game. Everything else is stagnant. It doesn't feel like I'm a part of something bigger.

Take the security issues. Higher population areas should have a large security presence with consequences for your actions. Systems of significant importance should have extremely tight security. Especially any system locked behind a permit. The permits need to exist for a reason.

If I'm flying around Sol (especially close to Earth), I shouldn't be able to sneeze without them knowing how fast the air moved.

Nothing about Sol or Achenar, the capitals of the most powerful human factions in the galaxy, set them apart from any other. In fact, they're both very poor to mediocre as far as what services and commodities are available.

Open the system map and look at Earth. You get a generic description of an Earth-like world. No mention of it being the cradle of humanity and its history. Just the same as you get for every other Earth-like.

 

[Lowievisser]

Its time for aliens.

 

[CMDR Muy Bien Gato]

1- If everything is going to be procedurally generated, there need to be rules in place.
-If a CMDR has been to a planet outside of the bubble, only then should wreckage spawn.
-AI should abide by the limits of their ships. No more eagles chasing my 30+ LY Asp across the galaxy.
-More USS risk in Anarchy/Feudal/etc. systems.
-More variance within USS. Wedding barge? Perhaps they get ambushed. Perhaps they're out of fuel. Perhaps it's a trap! This should also be determined by the system/minor faction.

2- Economy?
- Simple supply/demand would suffice. Players neglecting a system? Their demand for basic goods should go up.
- Are players buying a lot of ships in system X? Demand for electronics/industrials should go up.

3- RES
- AI Miner land a hot asteroid with painite/platinum? Perhaps allude to it through radio chatter. Pirates need something.
- Why is every minor faction involved in piracy? It seems as though EVERYONE is a di*k in space.
- Give larger, more dangerous ships "radio space". Think of elite enemies in games like Destiny/Diablo. Make them seem dangerous. Hell, have bounty hunters from other systems follow them. I'd love to see organic conversations between AI.

4- Stations
- Where are the fleets? AI wings need to exist outside of RES. Have them communicate and persist outside stations as well. Type-9 just land? Have his sidewinders chatter about that hot asteroid they found back in #3.
- Wanted players? Have System Sec chatter about "CMDR X".
- More traffic!
- Random CZ's spawning at stations in dangerous systems!
- Black market in safe systems = grey market in Anarchy. Let us actually buy narcotics from shady systems.
- Acknowledgement of rep. If I've built up a stellar reputation, I want the AI to know it (and additionally, not repeat the same lines over and over). "CMDR X! Your reputation proceeds you. So stoked you've docked at Station X today! Please, enjoy a discount on all our goods!"

Most of all, this is a multiplayer game. There needs to be emphasis on "emergence" by bringing players together through means that extend beyond typical RES/CZ farming. Not every USS should be instanced. Example: Alert every player within 40+ LY if a station is under attack in "System X", or if traffic in "System X" has seen a spike in activity.

To add onto this, one HUUUUUGE thing seems to be missing, in my opinion. This doesn't have a whole lot to do with the galaxy feeling more "alive" exactly, but would at least reduce the grindiness of everything.

We desperately need skins and emblems that aren't premium. It would help ME, the player, feel more connected to the minor/major factions. Reach high rank in the empire? How about a generic white skin that I can apply to my non-Gutamaya ships. How about that pirate skin that every NPC seems to sport if I help out the shady minor factions. I literally don't care about CR at this point. You can't fault people for only focusing on the grind for more CR. That's literally the only reward.

Seriously. How is this not a thing?

(also, I'm coming from Xbox, so even HAVING skins is a pipe dream)